Statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors on Mass Shooting in Atlanta
Washington, DC–Below is a statement by Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of The United States Conference of Mayors, on today’s mass shooting in Atlanta:
“Here we go again: At least one person is dead, and four others were injured in a mass shooting in a medical building in Midtown Atlanta. Just last weekend five family members – one of whom was just nine years old – were killed in Cleveland, Texas. There have now been 190 mass shootings this year in our country – a relentless American phenomenon.
“America’s mayors stand with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, the victims and their families, and the Atlanta community as they cope with this tragedy. We praise the Atlanta Police Department and all the law enforcement agencies working now to capture the suspected killer and the medical staff at Grady Hospital that responded so quickly to treat the wounded.
“Once more we must ask, what will it take for this nation to take action to reduce gun violence? Many state legislatures seem more focused on loosening gun safety restrictions than tightening them. Just over two weeks ago, a bipartisan group of 164 mayors in the U.S. Conference of Mayors sent a letter to Congress urging action on gun safety legislation. Yet once again, Congress has failed to act. Meanwhile, innocent Americans continue to be slaughtered and mayors and police chiefs are left to grapple with an impossible situation as best they can. We call on Congress to do what’s right and immediately pass common sense gun safety legislation. Lives depend on it.”